Shawn Zobel: Lions are in serious dealings with Cassel

[Tribal Warfare]

Inside Info

February 20th, 2009 Shawn Posted in Zobel's Blog |

I had the chance to speak with one of my sources down here in Indianapolis. Here’s what he had to say:

- The Lions are currently seriously considering dealing for Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel. According to my source, New England is “actively looking to deal him.”

- Malcolm Jenkins’ 40-yard dash is going to be one of the biggest of the Combine. If he runs a 4.5 or slower, many teams will feel that his best fit at the next level will be safety. There’s talk that he could slide to the middle-to-late first round.

- The Broncos new staff is not going to continue to draft the smaller, quicker offensive linemen. They are looking to get somewhat bigger along the offensive line.

- If Knowshon Moreno runs a 4.4 40-yard dash or faster, he could be the first running back taken…followed by Pitt’s LeSean McCoy.

- Andre Smith’s stock is dropping. Teams are not happy that he decided not to work. Based solely on today, Jason Smith is beginning to look like one of the top tackles in this year’s draft.

- The Vikings talking about keeping both Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson could mean that they plan on drafting another quarterback this year. With Josh Freeman creeping into the first round discussion, he could be an option.

[BigChiefFan]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

there's little doubt they intend to upgrade at the QB position. just depends on how they intend to do it. Cassell isnt a horrible option, but they have a vet they can afford to sit one of the rookies behind and still grab a LT with their 2nd 1st rd pick, then grab a LB at the top of the 2nd. Minnesota is the team that thinks they are a QB away from a serious run that makes a play for Cassell.

I think they may be seriously considering, that they can get Cassell for LESS money than paying a rookie QB picked with the 1st overall pick. Add to that, Cassell's character, who has been coaching him, and the fact, that he has a year of pro experience and I can see them being very serious about Cassell.

[ArrowheadMagic]

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

I think they may be seriously considering, that they can get Cassell for LESS money than paying a rookie QB picked with the 1st overall pick. Add to that, Cassell's character, who has been coaching him, and the fact, that he has a year of pro experience and I can see them being very serious about Cassell.

Detroit does have a fan base that needs to be won back. And the same regime that has been running the show is still intact minus ...whats his nuts Millen. While it makes sense..... dont think they pull that trigger. Though Monroe is a very tempting target to take at #1. 3 picks in the top 33 is a good position to be in, since this draft is lacking top talent, it's very heavy in guys that are mid 1st to 3rd round picks. I'd pass, but hope they dont.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

I'm with you on this. I watched every Patriots game and I still don't know if he's legitimate. As a 'scout/GM' for other teams, I'd feel a lot more confident if he'd beaten Pittsburgh. I know that he had the team in position to open that game up until Moss dropped a sure touchdown pass, but I'd liked to have seen him rally the team to overcome that.

A similar thing happened in the Chargers game earlier in the season. To me, it's probably the biggest red flag I'd have if I were thinking of trading for him.

Interesting. Since you are so much more familiar with NE than I, Mr. Just Passin' By, I'm wondering if the coaches allowed Cassel to push the ball as much as Brady did. Or, alternatively, was he asked to be more of a game manager?

FAX

[ChiefsCountry]

Detroit in all honesty should do the Carl Peterson thing and get to 8-8. They dont need a Super Bowl just win and be average. You get Eugene Monroe and Cassell to go along with Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith and they can have a decent offense pretty quick.

[Reerun_KC]

OH this would be perfect, Pass up a franchise QB for Scott Mitchell 2.0... I would laugh my ass off and fart in their general direction...

Please, Please, Please tell me the Lions are stupid enough to do this? Oh wait nevermind, they already did it once, History will repeat itself...

Happy Days for the fans of Red and Gold.

[Just Passin' By]

Originally Posted by FAX

Interesting. Since you are so much more familiar with NE than I, Mr. Just Passin' By, I'm wondering if the coaches allowed Cassel to push the ball as much as Brady did. Or, alternatively, was he asked to be more of a game manager?

FAX

Well, there was a progression with Cassel. At first, the coaches kept him tightly under wraps, and for good reason. He was really a 1-2 read quarterback at the beginning, and was taking a lot of sacks. Some of the sacks were because the line was pretty bad until Neal came back off the PUP list, but a lot of them were on Cassel.

As the weeks went on, Cassel improved and the team opened the offense up more. He was able to move the ball very well until it got near the red zone. He really struggled within the 30 yard line for a fair portion of the season's first half. The Chargers game was a great example of this, and it was probably the lowest point of the season for him under center.

As the year went on, though, he got more comfortable. The Jets game was a real turning point. With the team far behind, the coaches took off the gloves and let him air it out. He got the team back in the game and forced overtime. Even though the Patriots lost, the game was filled with positives as far as Cassel's development goes.

By the end of the year, Cassel was doing things that Brady can't. Now, I"m not talking about his reads or his passing, but his ability to run the ball. By the end of the season, Cassel was making 3-4 reads on plays and was using the run as a legitimate threat, and the team had opened up the playbook and playcalling for him. His red zone play had improved dramatically, he was getting sacked less, he was throwing more touchdowns and he was really working well with Welker, Faulk and Gaffney (although Gaffney dropped some easy passes). He never did find the way to consistently get the ball deep to Moss against double teams (which is a definite question mark as he goes forward), but he was able to make pretty much every other throw.

[ArrowheadMagic]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

OH this would be perfect, Pass up a franchise QB for Scott Mitchell 2.0... I would laugh my ass off and fart in their general direction...

Please, Please, Please tell me the Lions are stupid enough to do this? Oh wait nevermind, they already did it once, History will repeat itself...

Happy Days for the fans of Red and Gold.

How is Cassell ... Mitchell part 2? Please tell me its the system, because then you have to question if its the system with Brady. Or would you rather bring up the fact that a guy who hasnt started a game since HS was able to win 11 games in the NFL? 11 win teams very rarely dont make the playoffs, or are you unaware of that?

[FAX]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Detroit in all honesty should do the Carl Peterson thing and get to 8-8. They dont need a Super Bowl just win and be average. You get Eugene Monroe and Cassell to go along with Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith and they can have a decent offense pretty quick.

Your tongue of steel is speckled with the dots of truthness and slathered with the sauce of verity, Mr. ChiefsCountry.

They may not be as far away as peeps would like to believe.

FAX

[Basileus777]

So awesome. Get it done Detroit.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

How is Cassell ... Mitchell part 2? Please tell me its the system, because then you have to question if its the system with Brady. Or would you rather bring up the fact that a guy who hasnt started a game since HS was able to win 11 games in the NFL? 11 win teams very rarely dont make the playoffs, or are you unaware of that?

In fairness Brady was successful without the talent that offense has now...

[FAX]

Thanks, Mr. Just Passin' By. I appreciate the insight and information. Very much so.

Based on that analysis, the upshot seems like a whole heck of a lot of progress in one short year. There may be more to this guy than I realized.

FAX

[Reerun_KC]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

How is Cassell ... Mitchell part 2? Please tell me its the system, because then you have to question if its the system with Brady. Or would you rather bring up the fact that a guy who hasnt started a game since HS was able to win 11 games in the NFL? 11 win teams very rarely dont make the playoffs, or are you unaware of that?

No I would rather not... Thanks for asking though.

[ArrowheadMagic]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

No I would rather not... Thanks for asking though.

Not really surprised you wouldnt take a stance. Followers never do.

[RustShack]

The Patriots offense is a lot better now than it was in 01.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by ArrowheadMagic

Not really surprised you wouldnt take a stance. Followers never do.

You haven't met Doomy have you...he pretty much spent an entire thread saying he can't answer anything because he doesn't know then said none of us know either.